KARSTEN MIRANDA
karsten@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Once known for its lush green paddy fields that stretched across the landscape, Benaulim's agricultural heritage has gradually faded as tourism took centre stage and fishing remained the traditional livelihood. Now, the village's traditional governing body is determined to reclaim this lost identity through an ambitious revival of its abandoned farmlands.
The Benaulim Comunidade, having recently elected a managing committee after years without elections, has embarked on a mission to transform fallow lands back into productive agricultural spaces. Led by President Orlando Mesquita, Attorney Amancio Fernandes, Treasurer Caetano Fernandes, and Escrivao Nilesh Dessa, the committee has already identified 1 lakh square metres of dormant fields for immediate cultivation.
"We're bringing life back to our traditional fields 'Galpem Acsona pendolpem' that have been lying unused for too long," said Amancio Fernandes, an agriculturist himself.
The initiative gained momentum following a stakeholder meeting where Fr George Quadros of the Don Bosco Agriculture Unit, widely regarded as the "paddy man of Goa," offered crucial support. Fr George, who has successfully spearheaded what many call a "green revolution" by reviving farming in other parts of Goa's once-fallow fields, committed to providing assistance with ploughing, mechanical transplanting, and paddy nursery development for Jyoti brown rice varieties at a nominal cost.
Historically, Comunidades have been known for their agricultural practices and land management, making this initiative a fitting way to preserve this centuries-old legacy while addressing contemporary challenges of food security.
The meeting saw discussions on various aspects of agricultural revival, including drying techniques. Fernandes mentioned that an agricultural unit run by Jose D'Costa in Nuvem could be utilized for these purposes, further strengthening the initiative's infrastructure support.
J Santano Rodrigues, who has been promoting Agro-Biodiversity through Goa PRIs Union, also participated in the discussions, offering valuable insights into sustainable farming practices that could be implemented in Benaulim.
According to Fernandes, "The Zonal Agriculture Officer (ZAO) Rajesh Costa has been contacted and he offered to guide and support the revival of farming in Benaulim." Fernandes added that after monsoon paddy crop, Rabi crop of vegetables, cowpea, Alsando and others will be tried in few pockets as farmers have shown interest.
As part of the agricultural restoration initiative, the Comunidade will also focus on restoring local water bodies including ponds and lakes. The borders of these water bodies will be protected through tree planting, with preference given to local species such as Jambul, Cocum, and Tamarind. This planting is scheduled for June with support from the Forest Department and involvement of local school students.
The Water Resources Department (WRD) will be approached to clear all natural nullahs (stormwater drains) to improve the drainage system, essential for successful agricultural revival. Additionally, the committee resolved to immediately repair and maintain the age-old pre-Portuguese Comunidade Hall of Benaulim for community use given that there is a lot of history attached to this hall too, which was once a cultural hub for the village.
The Comunidade is also reaching out to all Joneiros (Comunidade members) to renew their billette cards in the first week of May and is conducting a proper inventory of lands and assets to prevent fields from remaining fallow.
Fernandes emphasized the importance of these initiatives, stating, "We must keep traditions of cultivation alive for food security and food safety. Currently, imported food from other states is far from safe, often adulterated with pesticides, which is one major cause of diseases like cancer and tumours in humans today."